CUSTOMS AND the textile industry together with the unions are squabbling over the fate of more than 400 tons of seized clothing clogging up Durban warehouses.
Over the past year tonnage has shot up from 110 tons to 400 tons. More than 300 containers were still waiting to be opened. In spite of the seizures illegal clothing still finds its way onto the streets, prompting some manufactures to claim that it is being stolen from customs warehouses.
However, customs officials say illegal clothing continues to be brought in undetected.
Local clothing and textile manufacturers are demanding the stockpile be destroyed, but customs is hoping to sell it abroad. It has had several responses to a call for tenders for the goods.
The local industry fears that it will simply find its way back to SA, but customs says it will require guarantees that the clothing will not be re-exported to SA.
